LAD #22: McKinley's War Message

President McKinley's war message to Congress called for the immediate intervention of America forces to end the civil hostilities between Cuba and Spain. He asked that this should be done for the sake of all humanity so that the atrocities suffered by Cuba might be ended. The war also was deemed a detriment to American trade and investment and he urged any sort of intervention as opposed to none. He even called for neutral intervention in which the United States serves as a biased mediator, as long as formal annexation of Cuba is avoided. If we should come to arms he would support the rebels to save them from the horrific punishments of which they have been victims. Intervention justified a four step process. The first two ask for the government to recognize the close proximity that war would merit and that the United States respect these human rights so as to not gain hostile neighbors. Thirdly, the United States is called to arms when its values are challenged and it as a nation is affected. Lastly, as the United States is so intertwined with the ongoings in Cuba, it is hard to ignore how the United States is being called to action, including the events of the USS Maine as justification.